City will start flushing its fire hydrants on Monday

The city of Ames announced Tuesday that it will begin flushing fire hydrants Monday, March 25.

The city of Ames announced Tuesday that it will begin flushing fire hydrants Monday, March 25.

The flushing, an annual practice, will start in central Ames. The boundaries for the flushing area are South Fourth and South Fifth streets on the south, the city said, Squaw Creek on the west, the Skunk River on the east, and the city limits on the north.

Flushing the hydrants performs the following tasks: Dislodges and removes mineral deposits and sediments from the water mains. Verifies the proper operation of fire hydrants and valves. Helps identify weaknesses in the water system. Checks for closed valves and weak flows in the water system.

Water service may be affected during the hydrant flushing, and anyone in the hydrant flushing areas is asked to be careful where water may accumulate.

Tap water in the area being flushed may be discolored by sediment flushed from the system. Residents who experience this should run water for several minutes until it runs clear. They should also not use hot water for dish washing or laundry if the water is not clear.

“If discoloration is apparent, residents should flush their household system by opening several cold water taps at once until the water is clear,” the city said in a press release. “Outdoor watering or otherwise using exterior hose outlets can flush customer piping while still using utility resources efficiently.”

If there are any stains caused by the discolored water, the city will provide free rust remover at City Hall, the water plant, and all Ames fire stations, or residents can call (515) 239-5550 during business hours or (515) 239-5150 after 3 p.m.